Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author Thiago Abdalla and authors Ed McDonald , K.S. Villoso , Rob J. Hayes , J.D.L. Rosell and Andrew Watson for a TBRCon2024 panel on "Creating Unique Fantasy Monsters." SUPPORT THE SHOW: - Patreon (for exclusive bonus episodes, author readings, book giveawa...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with author Sebastien de Castell about his new novel Play of Shadows, his career trajectory and being a bard, channeling your experiences into writing, traveling, culture and language, writing witty dialogue and banter, found family, worldbuilding approaches, shared worlds and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Sebastien. Stayed tuned next week for his mini-masterclass on Swashbuckling Fantasy. OUR SPONSOR : Novelo ...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 98
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author Jonathan Nevair and authors Aliette de Bodard , Christopher Ruocchio , Marina J. Lostetter , Hûw Steer and Taran Hunt for a TBRCon2024 panel on "Building Believable Sci-Fi Worlds." SUPPORT THE SHOW: - Patreon (for exclusive bonus episodes, author readings...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Join host M.J. Kuhn as she delves into a writing masterclass on Genre Mashups with her co-host/author Adrian M. Gibson . During the episode, Adrian picks apart the various aspects of genre mashups, including how he incorporated police procedurals and crime thrillers into Mushroom Blues, milieu and aesthetics as mashup elements, genre mashups vs. subgenres, meeting reader expectations in multiple genres at once, why authors shouldn't force genres together and more. NOTE: This is part two of a two...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 97
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author C. M. Caplan and authors Ryan Kirk, Clayton Snyder, R.K. Ashwick, Jacquelyn Hagen, J.D.L. Rosell, K.E. Andrews, E.C. Greaves, Morgan Stang and Wend Raven for a TBRCon2024 panel on "SPFBO 9 Finalists." SUPPORT THE SHOW: - Patreon (for exclusive bonus episode...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Join host M.J. Kuhn as she chats with author(!!!) Adrian M. Gibson about his debut novel Mushroom Blues, why he chose self-publishing, what he's learned from podcasting, writing Mushroom Blues and how it came to be, creating characters, the power of mushrooms, The Fungalverse interconnected universe, worldbuilding, travel, alienation and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Adrian. Stayed tuned next week for his mini-masterclass on Genre Mashups. OUR SPONSOR : Novelo is a co...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 96
The Mushroom Blues soundtrack is almost here, and to give you a taste, production duo Sporer and author Adrian M. Gibson have come together for an official LISTENING PARTY . The three discuss the creation of the album, the recording process and instruments used, capturing the mood of a book, their relationships with mushrooms and more. They also show off four of the album's eight tracks. ALBUM RELEASE: Mushroom Blues soundtrack releases on March 19 in digital format on Bandcamp, Apple Music, and...
Mar 15, 2024•58 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Circular Storytelling with author Moses Ose Utomi . During the episode, Moses traces the circumference of circular storytelling, including what it is, how Moses approached it in The Forever Desert series, mythology and storytelling traditions, how to utilize circular storytelling in scenes vs. chapters vs. whole stories, managing characters, world and plot in a circular story, beginnings, endings and more. N...
Mar 12, 2024•48 min•Ep. 95
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with author Moses Ose Utomi about his new novella The Truth of the Aleke, his Nigerian heritage and storytelling traditions, why novellas are awesome, time jumps and playing with history, truth and lies, martial arts, action scenes, anime, manga and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Moses. Stayed tuned next week for his mini-masterclass on Circular Storytelling. OUR SPONSOR : Novelo is a collaborative storytelling ...
Mar 05, 2024•49 min•Ep. 94
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author Chris Panatier and authors Chuck Wendig , Catherine McCarthy , Johnny Compton and CJ Leede for a TBRCon2024 panel on “The Role of Place & Atmosphere in Horror.” NOTE: Hailey Piper was scheduled to be on this panel, but unfortunately she was unable to attend at the last minute due to...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on War in Speculative Fiction with award-winning author Premee Mohamed . During the episode, Premee unveils the shadowy nature of war, including how she incorporated it into her new novel The Siege of Burning Grass, good and bad examples of war in media, realism when depicting war in SFF settings, civilians and the costs of war, humanizing combatants on both sides, intimate perspectives of war, the importance o...
Feb 27, 2024•57 min•Ep. 93
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/blogger David Walters and authors Sue Burke , Sebastien de Castell , Lucy Holland and Bryan Wilson for a TBRCon2024 panel on “How to Write Great Endings.” NOTE: Mark Lawrence was scheduled to be on this panel, but unfortunately he was unable to attend at the last minute due to a personal emerg...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with award-winning author Premee Mohamed about her new novella The Butcher of the Forest, working as a scientist vs. writing fiction, the power of horror and blending genres, colonialism and tackling weighty themes, science as inspiration, climate change, novellas, fairy tales and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Premee. Stayed tuned next week for her mini-masterclass on War in Speculative Fiction. OUR SPONSOR : N...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 92
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author M. J. Kuhn and authors Richard Swan, Gourav Mohanty, Andy Peloquin, Louise Holland and Sam Paisley for a TBRCon2024 panel on "Psychology of Villains in Fiction." SUPPORT THE SHOW: - Patreon (for exclusive bonus episodes, author readings, book giveaways and more) ...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Connecting World & Character with bestselling author Robert Jackson Bennett . During the episode, Robert connects the dots between character and worldbuilding, including the intersections of world, character and theme, different ways to start your stories, worlds as distinct characters, how world dynamics can inform character behavior, character perspectives and description, mood, dialogue, Die Hard and ...
Feb 13, 2024•54 min•Ep. 91
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author Dyrk Ashton and authors/artist/designers Michael R. Fletcher, Alyssa Winans, Casey Gerber, Rachel St Clair and Isaac Hill for a TBRCon2024 panel on "Finding a Cover Artist & Designer." SUPPORT THE SHOW: - Patreon (for exclusive bonus episodes, author readings, ...
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with bestselling author Robert Jackson Bennett about his new novel The Tainted Cup, murder mysteries, Foundryside and magic systems, atmosphere, voice and the uncanny, tackling big themes through SFF, plot structure, twists, Warhammer 40k and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Robert. Stayed tuned next week for his mini-masterclass on Connecting World & Character. OUR SPONSOR : Novelo is a collaborative storytel...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 90
Every Friday, we're highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting. This week, join moderator/author Dani Finn and authors Travis Baldree, Andrea Stewart, Michael R. Miller, J. Zachary Pike and N. C. Scrimgeour for a TBRCon2024 panel on "Writing Non-Human Characters." SUPPORT THE SHOW: - Patreon (for exclusive bonus episodes, author readings, book giveaways and more...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn for a TBRCon2024 LIVE crossover episode with The Fantasy & Sci-Fi Fanatic's Podcast . During the episode, they delve into a mini-masterclass on Getting Started in Self-Publishing with author Andy Peloquin and podcaster Daniel Coolbaugh , exploring the essentials of self-publishing, being an entrepreneur, approaching cover art and design, finding editors, the importance of readers and community, paying it forward, marketing and advertising, book la...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 89
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Writing Romance with bestselling author Chloe Gong . During the episode, Chloe unravels the enticing yarn of romance, including the appeal of romance in stories, the exploding popularity of the 'romantasy' genre, good (and bad) romantic chemistry, healthy vs. toxic relationships, expectations and tropes, Chloe’s favorite romance books and authors, romance as main plot vs. subplot, spice in romance and more. ...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 88
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with bestselling author Chloe Gong about her Secret Shanghai historical fantasy series, her adult debut Immortal Longings, what “success” means, Shakespeare and remixing classic stories, writing YA vs. adult SFF, aesthetics and atmosphere in film and fiction, Chinese history, magic systems, genre blending and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Chloe. Stayed tuned next week for her mini-masterclass on Writing Romance...
Jan 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 87
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Tech-Fi & Technology As Story with award-winning author Ken Liu . During the episode, Ken decodes the intricacies of technology fiction, including what tech-fi means, the uses of technology in fantasy, how technology and stories shape us and expresses our values, personifying technology, new technologies, A.I. and fear mongering, imagining positive impacts of future tech and more. NOTE: This is part two ...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 86
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with award-winning, bestselling author Ken Liu about his epic fantasy series The Dandelion Dynasty, the works of Philip K. Dick and Ursula K. Le Guin, writing and persistence, how technology plays into our lives, writing short stories vs. novels, the relationship between history, modernity and language, how symbolism plays into the creative process, Frankenstein, photography and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Ke...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 85
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they close out 2023 in style with fellow authors and friends of the show Ryan Cahill and R.R. Virdi . During the final episode of the year, they chat about how life has been, how writing compares to other forms of art and creativity, writing as a grind (that we love), experiences in publishing, self-pub vs. trad pub vs. hybrid, shifting writing processes, motivation and dedication, community and friendship, imposter syndrome and hurdles, our hopes ...
Dec 19, 2023•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 84
Announcement and synopsis for Mushroom Blues: The Hofmann Report Book One . After years of hard work and patience, Adrian M. Gibson is excited to announce his debut novel: MUSHROOM BLUES! This is the first book in THE HOFMANN REPORT series, as well as the introduction to THE FUNGALVERSE shared fictional universe. Adrian has poured his heart, soul and spores into this novel and this world, and he can't wait to share it with all of you. So, without further ado, it's time to ENTER THE FUNGALVERSE a...
Dec 15, 2023•4 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they reminisce on the year that was with podcasters Dylan Marsh and Charles M.C. (co-hosts of The Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast ). During the panel they share their top picks for favorite SFF reads of the year (3 each for a total of 12), reflect on the ups and downs 2023, offer some honorable mentions, talk about hikes, make surprise book announcements, split "assets" in a hypothetical "divorce" and more. BOOKS MENTIONED: - To Sleep in a Sea o...
Dec 12, 2023•2 hr 18 min•Ep. 83
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Working Through Grief with bestselling author Kevin Hearne . During the episode, Kevin unpacks the weighty burdens of grief, including how it fits into the human experience, reading and writing as therapy, incorporating the theme of grief into fantasy worlds (like The Seven Kennings trilogy), putting yourself in the mindset of grieving characters, music as a writing aid, grief and writer’s block, readers, he...
Dec 05, 2023•56 min•Ep. 82
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with bestselling author Kevin Hearne about his new novel A Curse of Krakens, The Iron Druid Chronicles, The Seven Kennings trilogy and passion projects, writing and teaching, urban fantasy, vampires and genre blending, folklore and mythology, friendship, community, tacos and much more. NOTE: This is part one of a two-part chat with Kevin. Stayed tuned next week for his mini-masterclass on Working Through Grief. SUPPORT THE SHOW: - ...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 81
Join authors Michael R. Miller, Ryan Cahill, Philip C. Quaintrell, J.A. Andrews and M. H. Ayinde for the final FanFiAddict author roundtable of 2023! During the discussion, these five talented authors share their takes on WHY CLASSIC FANTASY STILL RESONATES , delving into how classic fantasy can be defined, why both writers and readers connect so strongly with the genre, secondary worlds, story stakes and more. This is the tenth edition of our monthly AUTHOR ROUNDTABLE series, where we bring a h...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a writing masterclass on Impactful Scenes & Sequels with bestselling author Jim Butcher . During the episode, Jim dissects the nitty gritty of writing effective scenes and sequential storytelling, including the potent scene-sequel dynamic, the building blocks of scenes (emotion/reason/review/decision), transitions between scenes and books, creating believable worlds, adding new characters to a series, keeping characters and stak...
Nov 21, 2023•53 min•Ep. 80
